Is This An Age Thing?

Today we had a funeral at the nursing home.  The resident who died was a 90 year-old African-American woman whom everyone at the Residence knew, a gentle woman. Often when a resident dies, the wake or "viewing" takes place on-site in a room that is large, carpeted and appropriately furnished.  However, today, the viewing was short, in the chapel, followed by a funeral service. As her friends and relatives made their way to the chapel, various staff and others escorted them to the second floor. Because the residence is circular with windows and windows and windows, we could look up from our desks and see the mourners coming into the building. It was during this time that one of the staff, a man of some years but with more life than most people, came into my office and said, "Do you know what really gets to me?"  My eyes must have widened, because I didn't know what to expect...He continued, nodding towards the window where guests were still entering the building, "If you want to see people who know how to dress, you have to look at African Americans!"  I had noticed the very appropriate and almost formal attire of those arriving for the funeral, and said, "You are absolutely right!"  My colleague continued, "I have a friend who is very wealthy and he used to be the best looking, best-dressed guy.  And do you know, that man showed up for his father's wake in jeans and a tee shirt!"  I shook my head in disbelief.  But I had my own counter-story. I said, "Well, we're losing our collective marbles. In my neighborhood, joggers have taken over an area intended for people to sit and relax. Many of the jocks run in shorts, without shirts, huffing and puffing, their sweaty bods exposed down to their navel for all to observe.  Now, really, do people want I to sit in a place where smelly runners with their ears plugged are running in front of your face?  But civility and decorum have disappeared.  Next they'll run wearing only jock straps, and that will be just fine - "Whatever!" as they say.   I say, "The barbarians are at the gates!! Find someone who cares enough to hold them back." (Not likely)